Effect of multifocal lens glasses on the stepping patterns of novice wearers

- Measured novice young and middle-aged gait adaptations to multifocal lens glasses.
- Stepping patterns were analyzed during step up and down from two step heights.
- Cautious gait changes include increased stepping time and toe clearance.
- Increased step time and vertical forces from glasses may increase fall risk.
- Novice young and middle aged adults responded similarly to multifocal lens glasses.

Multifocal lens glasses (MfLs) negatively affect vision, increase falling risk and contribute to gait changes during stepping. Previous studies on the effects of MfLs on gait have focused on experienced wearers. Thus, the initial response of first-time wearers, who may face significant challenges in adapting to these glasses, is not well understood. This study aimed to quantify the effects of MfLs on novice wearers during stepping up and down. Additionally, young adults were compared against a middle-aged adults to determine the validity of convenience sampling in testing novice response to MfLs. Fifteen young adults (18-34 y.o.) and seven middle-aged adults (46-56 y.o.) were recruited to perform stepping trials while wearing progressive MfLs and blank single lens glasses. Participants stepped up and down from a 75 mm and 150 mm step in randomized order. Step placement, minimum toe clearance, lower body kinematics and stepping time were measured during step up. Step placement, minimum heel clearance, vertical forces and stepping time were measured during step down. MfLs significantly increased toe clearance in the lead and trailing legs, hip flexion, knee flexion and stepping time during step up and increased vertical forces and stepping time during step down. Step placement and hip angle explained 17% of the toe clearance variability. Changes during step up suggest a more conservative adaptation while increased forces during step down suggest a reduced level of control. No age group effects were observed, which supports the use of convenience sampling for evaluating the novice response to MfLs.